The Christchurch City Council has chosen a contractor to build the city's new $85 million library.
Southbase Construction will build the library on the site of the old Camelot Hotel in Cathedral Square.
Ground works on the site began last month, with construction expected to start later in the year, when the land is made available by the Crown.
The council pledged $75 million for the building, with $10 million of philanthropic funding making up the difference.
Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the council had decided a better approach was to work with potential corporate and community partners to develop the facility.
Ms Dalziel said the central city branch will add to the already popular community libraries to create a 21st century knowledge centre.
